Gozanze Myo-o
Medium
Wood with polychromy
Dimensions
107.5 × 64 × 47 cm (42 3/8 × 26 3/8 × 18 1/2 in.)
Classification
wood
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
118801
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This sculpture depicts Gozanze Myo-o, a four-faced, multi-limb deity, trampling Daijizaiten and his consort, Uma, the gods of unruly human passion. The figure belonged to an ensemble of five sculptures arranged within the sanctuary of an Esoteric Buddhist temple. The group was known collectively as the Godai Myo-o (Five Great Lords of Light), and together the sculptures symbolize the rage against all threats to Buddhism and all obstacles to enlightenment. Such icons were introduced to Japan from...